Magnification: 4-16X
Power Variability: Variable
Objective Diameter: 50 mm
Length/Weight/Tube Diameter: 15.5 inches/30.4 ounces/1 inch
Field of View: 33 - 13 feet/100 yards
Eye Relief/Exit Pupil: 3.1 - 3.8 mm/13 - 5 mm
Reticle: Plex, Ballistic Plex
Adjustment Info: 1/4 MOA/Click
Optics Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
Finish: Black Matte, Nickel
Waterproof/Shockproof: Yes/Yes
Parallax Setting: 50 yards+
Airgun rated: No
Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Mounting Rings Included: No
Best Uses: Big Game Hunting, Varmint Hunting, Laser Rangefinder, Target Shooting, Tactical Use
Update: The Burris Eliminator III rifle scope has been discontinued. For more great scope options, check out our picks of the best rifle scopes for a range of activities here.
Burris Eliminator 3 Rifle Scope
We reviewed the Burris Eliminator III 4-16X50 rifle scope as it is indeed one of the most advanced tactical and hunting rifle scopes on the market. If you thought that Burris was only in the optics industry to pop out quality, affordable scopes, you'd be wrong.
Burris dabble in world-class technology to combine the functionality of laser rangefinders and rifle scopes to make a superior product that's worth every dollar. Since its release date a couple years ago, the Eliminator 3 is holding a fantastic rating online with reviewers. With all the nifty features it has, it's not losing it's high star rating any time soon.
There are so many great Burris rifle scopes I could have picked to review, between the AR rifle scopes, Predator Quest, Scout, XTR II, and the Veracity scopes, it was a tooth grinding decision.
In the end, it wasn't just about the fact that I wanted to write about the Burris Eliminator III, I felt obligated. There's so many mind-blowing things this scope can do that it would be a crime to you avid hunters if I didn't make you aware of it here.
While the Eliminator III looks more like a submarine from out of space than a sleek and compact optic, don't let its less than appealing aesthetic value turn you off.
Here's the Q&A to give you a run down of how cool this Burris scope can be. And then make sure you check out the bullet listed features to get a full review of everything the Burris Eliminator III has to offer.
Pros:
- Laser rangefinder
- Wind measurements
- 1,200 yard distance
- Angle compensation
- Adjustable objective
Cons:
- Price
Eliminator III 4-16X50 Rifle Scope Q&A:
How do I use the rangefinding LaserScope on the Eliminator 3?
On a traditional rangefinder, all you have to do to get the distance is aim and press. The same is true of the Eliminator III rifle scope. There's a button that's located towards the front of the scope or the objective bell on both sides of the scope that you press to get a display reading of the distance.
This button is called the On/Range button. By pressing it, the correct aiming dot on the reticle will illuminate, the distance, and the windage offset will be displayed that automatically takes out the guesswork for bullet drop compensation.
Is there a remote control model available of the Eliminator 3?
Yes there is. When the Eliminator III first came out there wasn't a remote control available.
However, new to 2016, Burris came out with a Remote Cable Switch that activates the On/Range button from any comfortable and convenient position you may be stalking or lying in. The flexible cable is 14-24 inches long.
Pretty nifty, right? You will have to pay a couple hundred bucks more for the remote cable model though.
Otherwise, if you're good with the button on the scope, why spend extra?
What are all the numbers displayed on the lens?
The illuminated values on the Burris Eliminator III are all important bits of information for you to make that well-placed, long distance shot. The most obvious is the large set of numbers in the top center of the lens - the distance to the target in either meters or yards.
The letter displayed to the top left of this number will be the letter representing your measurement setting - Y for yards and M for meters. On the very top right of the lens is a battery life indicator, and the value to the left of this is the 10 mph windage offset value.
- PRECISION SCOPE - Rely on the Eliminator to determine the distance of your target, factor your trajectory and illuminate the perfect holdover
- MAKE HUNTING MORE EFFICIENT - Eliminate the extra variables and guesswork, and make your next hunt efficient and productive
What is the 10 MPH Windage Offset on the Eliminator 3?
This value that's displayed to the right of the lens tells you how many dots to hold into the wind based on a 10 mph wind and your specific cartridge for the known distance to the target. The windage feature on this rifle scope isn't fully automated.
You'll need to use the windage offset value displayed on the lens and use it with the most accurate estimation of current wind speeds as a guide line to see how many dots you need to holdover. The aiming holdover dot on the reticle will be illuminated, and with your windage estimations you'll calculate a new windage corrected aiming point.
How far out can the Burris Eliminator 3 scope range?
The LaserScope Eliminator III can zero into targets out to 1200 yards and beyond. Some hunters after using and reviewing the scope even say 1800 yards. While the scope can range out that far, it doesn't mean that you should. Ethical and moral hunting these extreme long distances on live targets depends on a lot factors including caliber and bullet coefficients and atmospheric conditions.
Long range hunting isn't and shouldn't be for everyone. It takes a lot of practice, practice, practice to even shoot well-placed shots out to 1200 yards. But, with a scope of this caliber, a powerful rifle, and loads of ammunition that make for a match made in heaven, getting lots of that extreme range practice on steel or paper targets is still a thrill in and of itself.
What is the X96 reticle on the Burris Eliminator III?
This reticle is an advanced ballistic reticle but is still as simple as it can be for the Eliminator III.
It has windage dots that span the lower half of the lens, yet the cross hairs don't span the entire field of view.
It's about as uncluttered as you can get for such an innovative reticle. And, get this - you can also use it at any magnification range, not just full power.
Out of 27 Burris reticles, this one is pretty neat.
Is there an actual projected laser beam?
No. This rifle scope works on laser technology, the same technology that rangefinders are outfitted with. The scope uses the laser system to emit non-visible wavelength light to reflect off a target. That reflected and then refracted light is detected by the rangefinder in the rifle scope.
No actual laser beam is seen to be projected from the scope by the human eye. Of course accurate distances will depend on many things like the reflectivity of the target or surface, distance, angle, and many other factors.
How practical is the Burris scope for hunting?
Considering that this rifle scope is listed in practically all of the categories on the Burris website as a hunting rifle scope, I'm sure it'll do just fine. My only concern is it's just more of a really cool tac scope or super extreme long ranging scope versus an actual hunting scope for first shot kills.
Whether or not 500 yards or 1200 yards is your ethical long range distance, this model is one of the closest scopes to enabling you to become an instant long range hunter without spending all the man hours at the range or boat loads of ammunition. Repeating over and over again that practice, the right equipment, confidence, and caution for long distance hunting at these ranges can never be overemphasized.
Noteworthy Features:
- 4X zoom for long range hunting in vast and open environments
- X96 ballistic and laser rangefinder reticle
- Built-in rangefinding technology to get you precise distances with ease and without lugging around extra equipment
- Built-in integrative inclinometer to compensate for angle shots uphill or downhill
- Ballistic reticle works on any magnification range
- Access to the new Burris Ballistics Tools online software
- Adjustable objective for parallax adjustment correction
- Waterproof and fog-proof with quad-seal gas rings for superior durability
- Weatherproof in -15 to +122 degrees Fahrenheit conditions
- Illuminated dot with push button control and with 5 brightness settings
- Remote Cable Switch for On/Range control from any position within 14-24 inches with the 200119 model
- Burris' HiLume Multi-coated lens for ultimate clarity and light transmission
- Recoilproof with double spring tension assembly to keep your zero even under heavy recoil and shock
- Practical scope that can be mounted to any Picatinny or Weaver base
- Suitable for varmint, predator, and African plains hunting
- Backed by Burris Forever Warranty
Our Verdict on the Burris Eliminator 3 LaserScope
According to the bull's-eye, the Burris Eliminator III will enable you to eliminate your target, and we're not just talking about the double bull's-eye target here. We're talking about game of all kinds out in the field. Of course, the Eliminator is going to be pricey - there is a reason it made our line-up of the best high-end rifle scopes. It literally has everything a rifle scope and laser rangefinder can offer in one unit. Either drool over it or pay for it.
If this is a "one day" purchase, you may as well steer towards the Burris Droptine 3-9X40 and the Burris Fullfield II 3-9X40. Both are in and around the same price range of under $200.
However, if you're seriously thinking about spending in this price range, you have a lot of very sweet options to shop and drool over. Take the Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 for example. It might not have the laser rangefinding abilities of the Eliminator III, but heck, it's a Swarovski!
When Burris goes all out, they go the extra mile. Expect nothing but the best when you buy from them. Eliminate your obstacles, and eliminate your targets. Done and done!
Update: The Burris Eliminator III rifle scope has been discontinued. For more great scope options, check out our picks of the best rifle scopes for a range of activities here.
Further Reading
When I looked at buying the Eliminator III, based on the training videos and reviews, I was expecting to mount the scope, sight the scope in at 100 yds. Then input my ballistic data into the Burris software to get the drop number and BC. Taking into consideration that the temperature, altitude, and muzzle velocity. After that, it was aim and shoot. This may be true for many customers that have bought the Eliminator III, but not for me.
I have had problems with my scope not calculating the correct hold-over, and Burris suggested that I chronograph my cartridge to make sure of the muzzle velocity, mount the scope and shoot it at various ranges. In addition, I should shoot at 750 yds to make correct adjustments of the drop was off is correct. As I mentioned not everyone has access to a range of 750 yds, so I was told to try it at 400-500 yds. Adjusting the BC and drop numbers until I get on target. If I have to shoot at 750 yds and make adjustments, then what good is the ballistics calculator in the scope?
After spending a lot of money on a chronograph, equipment, premium ammo, and membership to a shooting club that has a long range as suggested, the test results are the same as what I had mentioned before. The actual velocity was off by less than 50 fps on both cartridges tested. A difference of less than 2 inches at 750 yds.
The scope estimates the range accurately, but not the hold over. I was able to get hits a steel target at 200 and 300 where the drop is only 2 to 8” respectively. But 400 yds where the drop is 19” it was a miss. The scope aiming point was off from what the actual drop should be for the particular caliber.
Had I known that sighting-in and shooting the Eliminator III was going to be such a task, I would not have purchased it. I am sure that there are isolated cases like mine and many customers have had positive experiences using the Eliminator III. However, there is no way that customers would go through what I have and those interested in buying this scope should be interested in dealing with the same issues that I have. Maybe it’s just my scope, but because Burris warranty has not taken the desire to replace or repair this scope. The warranty statement by Burris of “No questions ask” is more like no warranty questions.
This product is misleading in it's capabilities and advertising, more importantly there is a certain amount of risk in the use of this scope to un-unintentionally hit a target by accident while using the LED readout. Range em and eliminate em is staged and not true, range em and maybe eliminate em is more accurate. Range em and eliminate em between 100 yards (zero) and 300 yards, good luck you will need em.